In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of evangelism and spreading the gospel. He highlights the need for Christians to actively engage in sharing the message of Jesus Christ with others. The speaker acknowledges that it is easy for believers to become indifferent towards the lost and focus only on themselves and their own needs. He calls on Christians to have a missionary fervor and to proclaim the gospel everywhere, every day, and to everyone. The speaker also references the book of Acts, emphasizing the divine message, command, and promise given to the early Christians in spreading the gospel.

Such a wonderful name. Not only that, I'm not only delighted to have a part in this historical event, but I'm encouraged today because it's from Luke, all true evangelism. Just a second, that's not our text today. We want to move into Acts because that's our assigned. I'd like you to turn to Luke chapter 24. We are witnesses of these things we're talking about. And that means we have to back up from verse 48 where he said, you're witnesses, back to verse 46 and 47. It behooves Christ the atonement, its design and its accomplishment and its application. Of course, the resurrection, the message is about including to a throne his lordship. He's referred to as Lord, Lord Jesus, or the Lord Jesus Christ message. And then verse 47, that ingredient that's almost left out of much evangelism. It says of sins should be preached in his name among all nations. It's clear when he says you're witnesses of these things. He was very clear and distinct, distinct and precise what those things were. Well, you'll find these ingredients, maybe not in the same word, but you'll see that they were obedient to the Lord. One of the weaknesses of modern evangelism is in its doctrinal to be witnesses. In Acts, they are brought to it at the end of Luke's gospel, where I've just referred. And at the beginning of Acts, our Lord has said the key path in Judea, Samaria and to the history is all one eight. Got to you could trace its way back to Acts chapter one, verse eight. Concerned about these days in some way to obey Jesus in carrying out that great command. Now, act one, any missionary sermons on that text. And I might say that evangelism is not all that they did, but it's something they always did. And I believe the church that nicknamed Calvinism moves the work of the spirit comprehensive. They may come to put their trust in God to receive him as their definition. The great deal of time in the book of Acts, great things. And the American standard just says only four apostles are mentioned and James and John are barely mentioned. It is concerning Paul and his evangelistic ministry and efforts. And all six has to do with Peter for the is devoted to such men as Barnabas, Silas, Stephen, Philip and so on. The spirit, but that's hardly appropriate because after chapter 22, verse 11, Apostles and said to speak the acts, apostles and others who gives it this title. He said it's the act Holy Spirit. I believe that's pretty accurate. Seeking to sit down in your heart. There's some we differ in gifts. We differ in qualifications as much as the head differs from the foot. It was not gathering together at Sunday morning at 11 o'clock and say a few prayers and sing a few hymns and hear a Bible exposition. No, it was more than that. Read the book of Acts and you'll see activity. Of course, that activity main functions of the Christian churches. Usually when people start to preach for Matthew, they usually preach what they call the Great Commission. But they don't begin with verse 17, where it says they worshiped him. And it was after that that they talked about witnessing, not talked about with the thing before. First, 17 said they worshiped him. Well, their activity began in persecution when they were scattered abroad. What was their activity? It's by 12 or 15 Christian reformed men. This about for we read that the good news of salvation of Jesus Christ. He went on to say, put these words together. Everyone, everywhere, put those three words together, says Walters, and you have the New Testament picture of evangelism. And then he said, it is not. Is it not strange that we reformed Christians who make so much of our devotion to the scriptures as the soul sufficient guide should have forgotten so far behind? And we've gotten so far behind on this fundamental matter of aggressive witness. We must confess that it's not easy to grow. We must confess that it is so easy, rather, to grow indifferent toward the lost multitudes around us. This is from a Christian reformed man. It is so easy to think only of our selfish selves and our children and lose our missionary fervor. I believe with all my heart that that's a true statement. The church, the New Testament church, Acts 8.4, and the title of the sermon was, All Addicts. You can preach it next week in your congregation. All addicts, he preached, all addicts. Dr. Kennedy, one of my friends near me in Florida, our church is almost like in a shadow. His people, he built his church on this principle. He dedicated his book of evangelism. When he dedicated that book, he said this, To the hundreds of laymen and laywomen at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church who have faithfully over the years put into practice the principle methods of this program. The program was founded. Verse 4, now we may not be able to find all of Dr. Kennedy's program in this verse, at least I can't, or in the New Testament either, but nevertheless, it's something to take note of in passing. We have certain conditions. I think in some ways, and you know, for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation. And I believe the book of Acts is somewhat seen in action. There's not too much difference in ours as far as the morality that we hear about. I read one historian describing this, describing the period, I'll give you the quote, Began in the age of universal corruption. Frequent. The power of wealth, the power of wealth of the state were in just a few hands. The mass of the people were without means, without learning, without protection, and a large part was held in slavery. Yet in the midst of all these vices, without a Bible in the hands of the people, without a Sabbath, without a church edifice, against all of that, the gospel came in power and conquest. Age. The influence of society were against them, and yet the gospel made them conquerors. And we have seen, people say, the gospel is not relevant. The gospel is relevant as long as that funeral, not even 2000. Congregation, we see there, sitting before us, some of the results of the power of the gospel. My congregation, I can look out and see liars that were converted, drug addicts, drunks, men converted from the cults. Twenty men and women and young men had been converted and rescued from the ritual and rubble of Rome. Unity in diversity, the only kind of true unity there is, are people who try to have unity without unity in diversity. They always fail. But there is unity in diversity, and we see that in the book of Acts. We will learn the place and importance of the organizations, the Christian church, in action, in respect to evangelism, witnessing, witnessing, working together, as Spurgeon said, all at it. And we will see the best examples of the power of the gospel to triumph over circumstances and conditions. Yes, it's power, it's power to convert the chief of sinners. And therefore, young preacher, you should not be discouraged about your situation. You weren't in Jerusalem, at least. Well, a paper boy, I used to sell papers. You can remember this. New things, and read it. Hey, the hearers. When it takes this guy for parting words of our Lord. That's where he said the theologians should be our evangelists. But then he said, I've taught you. Significant people who took Jesus seriously in worship and serious in witness. And I say again, no money, no church politics, no political influence, no influential people, no institutions, no facilities. They had a command of the Lord and the Spirit of the Lord and the Spirit. Well, we want to look at this sacred history. And I want you to look carefully and I want you to follow in your Bibles. The book of Acts opens and you'll find that they had a prayer meeting. In a prayer meeting, praying for God's spirit and God's power. But they did not pray for 20 years. Oh, Lord, make me a witness. You know, I'm in a prayer meeting and somebody prays. Oh, Lord, make me a witness. I feel like tapping them on the back and say, hey, by the fellowship of the gospel. And by that, I do not mean the teaching with sinners and to the defense and the proclamation of the gospel. Because it's the mission of the church, which we'll hear about later. I know there's some little old ladies in my church and some people who just do not have that kind of gift that they can run up and talk to people and give a verbal confrontation. But they certainly are proponents of the gospel other ways. And they help as part of the Christian church in our mission. You see, we'll see that they were given a divine promise, the power of the Holy Spirit. That sermon, Acts chapter 3, verse 10. Study Ethiopian treasure. Study Paul's sermon in Acts 13 and Acts 17. And you'll get some idea of their method and their message. You'll get their message. But what about their method? Well, it's there also. And I want you to please follow me. Today, we have 10,000 methods. And I have to sit back almost and think. Some of these young preachers, every time a new method of Anthemism comes along that works in some other church, they want to incorporate that system or that method. Oh, it works over there. Oh, my. 10,000 methods. And you've tried some of them. You've tried some of them. But what do they do in the book of Acts? I said Matthew chapter 28, verse 17. That verse 14 they prayed. And you'll find by studying these sermons, chapter 2, two great long passages of Old Testament Scripture are quoted. You'll appear, appeal to the apostles, preaching and praise. That's what you'll find. But don't miss their method. There has to be somewhere, someone to witness to. The prominent words in the book of Acts is go. Verse 15, it said there was 120 about. I like this word. They add it. The last count was 3,050 more. Multiplied. Multiplied greatly. To build a church. Among men whereby we must be saved. I think that deserves some consideration about their method. Now, in these closing times. The temple, teaching the people. Somebody's reading. You're teaching. Teaching and preaching. After any one of the sermons that I mentioned. But not that they do not have to make a decision. That's not what I'm talking about. Everyone must make a decision. But there's a difference between making a decision and this wicked act. Doctrine of decisional regeneration. I want to take a little heed to that. Teach. It says he, referring to Jesus, went around about villages teaching. Jesus was moved with compassion toward them. Because they were a sheep not having a shepherd. And what did he do? He had compassion. What did he do? Read on. We love so much. The last chapter referred to last night. The next thing he did. These people were taking this gospel to have a mind. That's what they think with. That's what they feel with. And they have a will. And our message must reach all of that. And the things that thou hast heard. The things that thou hast heard of me. The same commit thou to faithful men. Just in this very scene. Fifteen decisions every time a new evangelist comes to town. Stood before it can be applied. And again I remind you. Jerusalem was a more difficult place than any one of us are in. And I remind you again. They had no equipment. No scholars. No seminaries. No buildings. They were fishermen. Beaten and commanded not to speak in his name. That hadn't happened to you yet. May God. May be God launch. And he took on a project. Stopped the religion. And actually if you find he was so zealous to stop it. It said he drove the Christians out of town. And he couldn't find another one in town. Because it says they were all scattered. Put the church out of business. Well what was the secret of his success? Well Paul used the same method the Christians did. In Acts chapter 8. He entered every house. If you just witness to your natural contacts. And the reason some people. Our churches are filled with people who can't witness to their neighbors. Because they live like the devil. To teach. Then Peter stopped praying. Get gone. Go over to see Cornelius. And that's what he did. People can't have those kind of. To language like this. Read with you. Is it your heart. Is not your heart broken yet. Oh today would you hear his voice. If you have any pity for mercy. If the God that made you have not any authority with you. Obey his commands and come in. If you are not. Against yourself. Repent and be converted. Let not heaven stand open to you in vain. Let not the Lord Jesus Christ open the stores. And bid you to buy without money. And without price in vain. Let not his spirit and his ministers strive with you in vain. And leave you at last. Unpersuaded. Lest the sentence go forth against you. Well though I have called you long. Said the great old preacher. Well though I have called you long. And you have refused. I shall yet this once more. Lift up my voice like a trumpet. And cry from the highest places of the city. Before I conclude with this miserable explanation. All is over. Once more I call you. After reckless sinners. Once more I call after reckless sinners. If it be possible. That I may awake them. Oh earth. Earth. Hear the word of the Lord. Unless you are resolved to die. Lend your ears to the last calls of mercy. Behold in the name of God. I make an open proclamation to you. Hearken unto me. Oh ye children. Hear instructions and be wise. And refuse not. Evangelism says this.